MicroRNA composition delineates cardiosphere-derived cell and mesenchymal stem cell extracellular vesicles

Cell therapy limits ischemic injury following myocardial infarction (MI) by limiting cell death, modulating the immune response, and promoting tissue regeneration. The therapeutic efficacy of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is associated with extracellular vesicle (EV) release. Despite differences in cell origin, it is unclear why EVs elicit differences in therapeutic potency between cell types. Here, we compare EVs derived from multiple MSC and CDC donors. We reveal that EV membrane protein and microRNA (miR) composition are reflective of their parent cell. Small RNA-sequencing revealed enrichment of miR-10b in MSC EVs. Our data support the hypothesis that CDC EVs are distinct from MSC-EVs and is reflected by their miR composition.